Library Renovation 2007-2008
In May 2007, the Duke Law Library began an exciting renovation project that is scheduled to be completed in August 2008. The project expands the strengths of the library in providing collaborative and quiet study places, services for reference, computing help, and media projects, and of course, a tremendous collection of electronic and print resources.
This page will post updates related to the Law Library Renovation throughout the construction period.
Renovation FAQ
Updated 1 July 2008-
Why did the Law Library need to close temporarily?
The plans call for major renovations and reconstruction on all four floors of the library wing. In addition, it is necessary as part of the project to completely replace the library’s forty-year-old heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, including the ducts on each floor, and to add more fire-proofing to the underside of each floor. For this work to be done efficiently and to protect the books from damage, it is necessary to remove the collections, as well as all staff offices and equipment during the project. -
Where are Library services being provided during construction?
A temporary library has been set up in the Gross Chemistry Building across Towerview Road (or “Law School Annex”). The Law Library Annex is now open for summer hours, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The Annex building can be reached quickly from the Law School parking lot via the crosswalk on Towerview Road. A wheelchair-accessible entrance can be reached from the intersection of Science Drive and Towerview Road. -
What services and space are available in the Law Library Annex?
The Law School Annex and Law Library Annex provide the same access and hours as the current Law School building, including 24-hour access for the Law School community with Duke ID. The Law Library Annex is similar in size to the "old" library's reading room. It seats more than 100 users at tables and carrels, and has public computer terminals, full wireless coverage (without table-top power), as well as shelving for a small collection of books. Tables are also available outside the building, on a covered porch, and soft seating is provided in the large lobby area outside the library entrance. A computer lab with printers has also been set up near the library.
Library staff continue to provide the same high-quality services, including staffed circulation and reference desks. -
How much of the collection has been brought to the Annex?
The Law Library Annex has space for about 25,000 volumes, or about 4% of the Law Library's collection of more than 625,000 volumes. However, since the Library continues to purchase and process new books and journals, some of the Annex shelf space was also set aside for incoming materials. The Annex collection includes primary treatises on core subjects, current state and federal codes, hornbooks and other student aids, reference books, current journals, and course reserve materials. The remainder of the Library’s collection was placed into "cold storage", and is inaccessible for the duration of the construction. -
How can I borrow a book that I need?
Books listed in the online catalog as "Law Library - Unavailable" have been moved to off-site storage, and are inaccessible for the remainder of the construction period. The reference librarians are available to help determine how to get what you need as quickly as possible. As always, books available at other Duke University libraries may be requested through the online catalog. Duke Law students, faculty and staff may continue to use the Law Library’s Interlibrary Loan service (http://www.law.duke.edu/lib/ill/) to obtain copies of materials that are not available on campus.
Duke students, faculty and staff may also use their DukeCard to borrow circulating materials in person from other libraries in the Triangle Research Libraries Network (TRLN). TRLN includes the libraries of UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina Central University, and North Carolina State University. -
Where are the Law Library & Academic Technologies staff offices now located?
The reference librarians have relocated to offices in the faculty wing of the law school, readily accessible to faculty, staff, and students:
Lauren M. Collins, Head of Reference Services, is located in Room 3030.
Jennifer Behrens, Reference Librarian, is located in Room 3182.
Molly Brownfield, Reference Librarian, is located in Room 3027.
Amy Taylor, Reference Librarian, is located in Room 3027.
Katherine Topulos, Foreign & International Law Librarian, is located in Room 3025.The reference librarians also staff a reference desk in the Library Annex, and continue to be available via telephone (919-613-7121), e-mail (ref@law.duke.edu) and instant message (dukelawreference).
The Library’s Collection Services (Circulation) and Technical Services staff are housed in or near the Law Library Annex. The Computing Help Desk has relocated, along with the User Services and Infrastructure & Systems staff, to the Burdman Lounge (Room 3000). Media services classroom support staff are also located in the Burdman Lounge. The Media Lab and Web Services team have relocated to the Annex. All staff phone numbers remain the same. -
Whom should I contact with questions about the Library's move to the Annex?
The Assistant Dean for Library Services, Melanie Dunshee, can be contacted at Dunshee@law.duke.edu with questions or concerns about the 2007-2008 construction project.
